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Testaverde is close to starting

Soon-to-be 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde has moved back into the lead in the pothole-filled race to be the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback.

Testaverde returned to practice Wednesday after missing the Panthers' loss to Tennessee with a sore right Achilles' tendon. David Carr watched practice from the sideline, yet to be cleared after sustaining a concussion against the Titans.

Even though he split time with undrafted rookie Matt Moore and coach John Fox declined to select a starter, Testaverde sounded like the guy who will be under center Sunday against Atlanta.

"I feel great right now. Hopefully there are no setbacks, which I don't anticipate," said Testaverde, who turns 44 next week.

"I'm excited about it. I think we made the right decision in not pushing it last week."

Carr's concussion, the fifth injury to four Panthers' quarterbacks, forced the Panthers to sign former UCLA quarterback Drew Olson to the practice squad. Olson, who was cut by Baltimore in August, allowed the Panthers to have enough QBs to practice Wednesday.

BENGALS: Receiver Chris Henry allegedly was involved in an altercation with a parking attendant on the eve of rejoining the team from his eight-game suspension.

Henry practiced with the Bengals on Wednesday and will be eligible to play Sunday in Baltimore.

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the first half of the season for violating the NFL's conduct policy.